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General News

Investigation Underway After 99 Schoolchildren Rescued in Austria Alpine Hike 

They were airlifted to safety near the small ski area of Walmendingerhorn after the weather closed in. The teachers put them on a difficult trail after consulting an online guide. Criminal charges could be brought.

Glaciers Around the World Melting Faster Due to Increasing Climate Change

The pace of their melt is accelerating on all the continents on Earth. PlanetSKI examines the current situation, the issues at stake and looks at some of the latest research.

June’s Skiing Snippets

– Back in the Day in Verbier
– Eddie the Eagle Opens Indoor Ski Slope in Devon
– Scientists Investigate ‘Snow Blood’ in the Alps
– International Ski Marathon Federation Bans Russian Athletes
– Spain Backs Out Of Pyrenees 2030 Olympic Bid… LIVE & UPDATED

2022 London Ski & Snowboard Festival is Cancelled

The event was due to take place in October but has been called off due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.  The organisers claim it will go ahead in 2023. The National Snow Show in Birmingham remains set to go ahead. UPDATED

World Snow Day 2022 Claims Success

The International Ski Federation, FIS, says the 2022 edition of World Snow Day was full of ‘positive moments’. Plans are underway for next season’s event.

Face Masks No Longer Required on Flights & Airports in the EU

From next Monday, May 16th, the guidance will go.  It puts air travel into line with other modes of public transport across Europe and will impact those heading to mountain destinations this summer. UPDATED

Black Folks Do Ski

50 years ago, two black American skiers were introduced by a mutual friend. It led to the ‘National Brotherhood of Skiers’. The two men, both in their 80s, have made it into the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. PlanetSKI has been speaking to them.

New Zealand Re-Opens Borders – Skiing this Summer Now On for International Visitors

From this month international visitors are now able to enter the country if they’re vaccinated and Covid-negative. Summer skiing awaits.

May’s Skiing Snippets

– 2 Dead & 9 Injured After Ice Fall in Swiss Alps
– ‘The Ultimate Run’ Wins Sports Emmy® Award
– Spring Ski Descent of Mont Blanc
– Foothills Above Montreux Turn White…LIVE & UPDATED

International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism Published

It looks at the winter of 2020/21 – a ski season we’d all rather forget with the impact of Covid-19. The 2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism has just been unveiled during the opening conference of Mountain Planet International Exhibition in Grenoble.

Transforming Tignes – A Seismic Shift is Taking Place in the French Resort

Go to Val d’Isère for the 5-star experience, head to Tignes for the skiing.  It’s what we often hear about these two lift-linked French resorts.  But things are changing, and one property company is at the forefront of efforts to turn the ugly sister of Tignes into Cinderella. It’s expanding into other resorts too.

Scottish Rescue Teams Trial Drones to Find People Lost in the Mountains

New drone technology is allowing mountain rescue teams to improve how they search for people who get stuck and stranded amoung Britain’s highest peaks.

Skiers Urged to Check Covid Entry Requirements

Tens of thousands of people are still arriving at UK airports without the required Covid test certification for their destination country. Many ski countries do not require a negative test for vaccinated travellers but do for unvaccinated. UPDATED

Investigations Continue After Two Women on Mountain Survival Course Die in Avalanche

They were in a party of six in Chamonix, France, with a guide when the avalanche struck. An investigation is continuing. It’s the latest in a numbers of avalanches in the north western Alps. UPDATED

Two British Brothers Lucky to be Alive After La Plagne Avalanche

One was buried under the snow for 15 minutes while the other managed to free himself. 50 people were involved in the rescue operation on Saturday. On Sunday a skier was dug out of an avalanche in Tignes. UPDATED

Ski Trips Hit by Travel Disruption

PlanetSKI reporters have had mixed experiences travelling to Geneva and Zurich. Delays & cancellations at airports and the Port of Dover have impacted people and organisations going skiing this Easter. The travel problems are set to continue this week. UPDATED

Inbounds Avalanche in Whistler Kills 34-Year-Old Man

The Canadian resort has expressed its deepest sympathy to the victim’s family & friends. An investigation is underway. It comes as three ski tourers died in an avalanche in Norway.

Date for 2023 World Snow Day Announced

The 12th edition of World Snow Day will take place on the 15th January 2023. The World Snow Day Awards will also be handed out.

Airport Travel Problems Continue

Airlines operating from the UK are continuing to experience problems as the Easter ski break continues and the winter ski season draws to a close. This weekend the travel problems look set to continue and one school’s ski trip has been disrupted. UPDATED

Glencoe Says Business Down 25% 

The operator of the Scottish ski area has told a newspaper that high fuel prices have played a part in reducing the number of skiers and snowboarders attending this season.

IOC Allocates $2 million to Support Ukraine’s Olympic community

The money is being used to help athletes and their families that are in danger, and to allow for training and attending sporting competitions to go ahead as best as possible under the current circumstances.

British Snowboarder Saved by Phone Safety Feature in Crevasse Fall

41-year old Tim Blakey was riding on his own in a glacier in Saas Fee when he fell into a crevasse. He used an SOS feature on his iPhone to alert the rescue services.

Italy Lifts More Internal Covid-19 Restrictions But Travel Rules Apply

Green passes are not needed for ski lifts, mountain restaurants and other facilities.  A Covid vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or negative test result is needed for travellers entering Italy.

April’s Skiing Snippets

– My Ikon, My Ride
– Fluorinated Wax Set to be Banned by FIS
– Lucky Escape!
– Avalanche Transceiver Recall … LIVE & UPDATED

EU Asks Border Police Not to Stamp Passports of British People With Residency

Some UK people in the alpine nations with residency have been having their passports stamped as they go in and out of EU countries.

UK Ski Operator Has Offers for Next Season

Absolutely Snow is turning its attention to next season as this one draws to a close.  It has four special offers including securing a holiday for 2022/23 for just £1.

Searching for Skiing

The ski operator allChalets reports a growing interest in skiing as travel rules and local Covid-19 restrictions ease. It also claims the Beijing Winter Olympics has provided a boost. It has been crunching the numbers.

Maison Sport Adds Disability Offerings

Maison Sport, the independent ski and snowboard instructor provider, has expanded its service to offer the full range of disability disciplines for skiers & snowboarders of all needs.

British man Dies on Slopes of Meribel

An investigation is underway after a 29-year old man from England died on Sunday morning in the French resort. Few details have been released.

Easter Skiing in Tignes

A new hotel in Tignes, Voulez Vous, has offers in place for the Easter holidays with some complimentary upgrades thrown in.

UK’s First On Mountain Ski & Snowboard Festival Takes Place This Weekend

It’s called The Mighty Coe and you may not be surprised to learn that it takes place at Glencoe in Scotland.  There’s a packed programme and the great news is that there’s currently plenty of snow there. UPDATED

All UK Travel Rules Scrapped

The remaining Covid travel restrictions are gone. The passenger locator form and tests for the unvaccinated are not needed. It has been welcomed by skiers returing this weekend & those heading out over the rest of the season. UPDATED

Investigation After Three Dead in Austria Avalanche

Three ski tourers died and another was injured last Friday in an avalanche in the Oetscher area in Lower Austria. It’s emerged that the group included members of mountain rescue and alpine police. UPDATED

French Ski Resorts Return to ‘Normal’ as Covid Rules Go

The vaccine pass and the requirement to wear masks indoors are being dropped in France from this Monday. It’s good news for the ski resorts as they go into the last six weeks or so of their season.

Police In Scotland Issue Warnings After Six Mountain Deaths

Police Scotland is appealing to hill users and mountaineers to plan ahead and take extra care in the coming weeks. The deaths have occurred in the past two weeks. NEW

Austrian Ski Resorts Welcome Relaxation of Covid Restrictions

It is the last major alpine county to do so and the move brings it more into line with Switzerland, France and Italy. PlanetSKI reports from the Tirol on the welcome change and how hopes are rising for a good end to the season. UPDATED

March’s Skiing Snippets

– Skiing in Scotland: the videos
– Look Who We Bumped Into
– CEO of Aspen Skiing Company Steps Down
– Ukranians Take Refuge in the Mountains …LIVE & UPDATED

Norway Calls for Full Sporting Ban on Russia

Norway won the most medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Its stance contradicts the initial policy of the International Ski Federation. FIS has been criticised in some quarters for its reaction to the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

Italy Scraps Covid Tests for Vaccinated Travellers on Tuesday 

It’s the last major European ski nation to require visitors from the UK to take pre-travel Covid-19 tests.  PlanetSKI reacts from the ski slopes of Italy as the news is widely welcomed. UPDATED

French Ski Resorts Reported to be ‘Back to Normal’

Bookings are almost at pre-pandemic levels according to a new report.  PlanetSKI has been on the slopes of France and can report it has been busy over the February holiday period. UPDATED

The ‘Ultimate’ Guide to Off-Piste Routes in Val d’Isère

A new book, detailing more than 200 off-piste routes in Val d’Isère is being launched in the resort next month and all the money raised will go to charity.

Austria Eases Covid Entry Rules

People arriving to ski will just need proof of double vaccination or recovery or a negative test when entering Austria. It has been widely welcomed in the snowsports world, and will give a boost to the second half of the season and spring skiing. NEW

Skiing & Snowboarding is Back with Surging Interest for Spring

Resorts and Tour Operators report growing interest as Covid rules ease. A new report backs up the situation for France. EasyJet has put on an extra 50,000 additional seats on flights departing to ski destinations. UPDATED

Switzerland Drops Most Covid Restrictions

People in Switzerland will no longer have to show a Covid certificate to enter bars, restaurants and other indoor venues.  Ski resorts will continue to get back to normal, but masks remain needed in cable cars & gondolas. Border restrictions to enter Switzerland have been dropped.

Late Season Bookings Rise as Ski Nations Ease Covid Rules

If you want to get away later in the season now is perhaps the time to book. Easter is nearly sold out in some places. We look at the easing of restrictions, the reality of skiing under current rules & growing pressure on holidays.

Fresh Avalanche Warnings as Two People Die in Switzerland

Two men died in Switzerland and others were caught in separate slides in Austria but were rescued. With the busy half-term week underway the danger is ‘considerable’ in places with caution urged. UPDATED

Avalanche Incidents at Record Level in Tirol

There are warnings of a continued high risk of deadly avalanches in the Alps with the authorities in the Tirol saying have had an unprecedented number of incidents. The warnings follow the deaths of 13 people in avalanches in the Alps since Friday. The latest fatalities are two young Dutch skiers who died in France.  UPDATED

Investigations Underway After 8 Dead in 3 Separate Avalanches in Austria

In the worst incident 5 people died near the town of Spiss in the Tirol near the Swiss border.  The people caught were a group of Swedish ski tourers. Investigations are underway into all three fatal avalanches. UPDATED

France and Switzerland Ease Some Covid-19 Restrictions

France loosened some rules on Wednesday with Switzerland easing some of its restrictions on Thursday, plus outlining a path to end all measures. We report from the slopes of the two alpine nations and assess the likely impact on skiing for the rest of the winter. NEW

Award for Inspirational Adventurer

Karen Darke, a Paralympic Champion who has completed gruelling challenges on skis and bikes, despite being paralysed from the chest down, has received the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

February’s Skiing Snippets…

– Bulgaria to Ease Covid-19 Restrictions
– PlanetSKI Reports from the Ski Resort of Lofer
– Planning a Ski Trip to Canada Before Winter Ends?
– GB Ski Cross Athlete is Esprit Brand Ambassador.. LIVE & UPDATED

Austria to Ease Covid-19 Rules Further

The Austrian government has announced it will take more steps to ease restrictions gradually in February. Some relaxation has already taken place, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to travel from the UK. UPDATED

Chairlift Goes into Reverse With Skiers Forced to Jump Off

The incident took place at a ski resort in South Korea.  The chaotic scenes have been captured on video. The resort has apologised to all involved and an investigation is underway. NEW

Prices go Downhill in Some European Ski Resorts

Prices have fallen in two thirds of the ski areas surveyed for the latest Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report.  So, which resorts offer best value?

First Travelski Express Departs

After Covid-19 delays the new holiday inclusive rail service to the French Alps is finally heading to France. So, what’s on offer?

Norway Scraps Entry Quarantine Rules

The change came into force on Wednesday and applies to all visitors.  It means skiers and snowboarders heading to the Scandinavian country will no longer have to quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have a Covid-19 certificate. 

Boost for Ski Holidays as UK Scraps Travel Tests

The need to test for Covid-19 when you arrive in England or Scotland is being scrapped for fully jabbed travellers from 4am on 11th February. The other home nations say they will follow suit. The change comes in time for the school half-term break and bookings are already said to be up. UPDATED

New Covid-19 Measures Affect French Ski Resorts

From this week a vaccination pass will be needed by everyone over 16. A negative test will not be enough.  Cases continue to grow but ski resorts remain open. PlanetSKI reports from the slopes of La Rosiere in France.

How Good Was Dave Ryding’s Victory?

The Rocket’s triumph in Kitzbühel was the first by a Brit in the 55-years of the Alpine World Cup. But you need to look behind the headlines to fully appreciate its historical and sporting significance.

Austria Eases Border Rules for Some People from UK

Austria removed the UK from its so-called ‘virus variant list’ on Monday. Triple jabbed skiers and snowboarders are now allowed to enter without the need for a test. It has been widely welcomed by the Austrian ski resorts and those eligible wanting to head to Austria. UPDATED

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